Do you think Michael Richards is a racist?

Question

I watched the video and it looked like he just lost it. I think it was more along the lines of his last resort. He was being heckled and he could'nt take the pressure. Now I like this guy on Seinfeld, but have never seen a solo performance. The only thing is that the clip going around the internet doesn't show what lead up to the outburst. I honestly don't think he is racist or filled with animosity towards any race. However, I also do not think that a comedian should resort to such a low blow. Being a comic means having a bag full of tricks. So, I think what he did was wrong, but I can't rule him out a racist. I've heard many black entertainers use derogatory racist statements. Does this make it all right? Or are we just to thin skinned and take things as racist when the person sayin them is the wrong color ?

Answer 1

While the two guys shouldn't have been heckling him, Michael Richards is supposed to be a professioal, and thus prepared or ready for that kind of thing. His word choices were totally uncalled for and there's no reason they should have been said. I'm not sure if he's like that elsewhere in every day life or if he just snapped then, but either way in that moment he was certainly a racist. Since i don't personally know him and how he's like outside of work I don't think he could be fully classified as a racist though.
ETA: I hadn't realized the two guys had called him a "crackera$$" though, so honestly I feel that in this case both parties were wrong.

Answer 2

I strongly disagree with what Michael Richards said at the Comedy Show however, I also feel that the two gentlemen in question were not innocent in the matter. Why does no one mention the racial slur they said. Last time I checked calling someone a "cracker a##" is not politically correct. Two wrongs don't make a right. If they are offended by the use of the "n" word, I hope they do not listen to any rap music. The word is tossed around by many rap artists and it is acceptable but only if you are a particular race. It becomes racists the moment another race uses it. To be, it is a disgusting word that shouldn't be used by ANY race. If it is an insulting word, it is insulting regardless of who said it. So yes, Michael Richards was wrong for saying it...does it require a lawsuit like the gentlemen in question were pondering on ET..NO. Not unless they sue 50 Cent and most other rappers. It shouldn't matter what colour someone's skin is to make the word insulting.

The heat is on because Michael Richards is white and said the derogatory comment...if he was black it would not even be an issue. Have any of you heard Chris Rock during a comedy tour? He uses the "n" word plenty of times. Why is that acceptable?

Richards apologized (which I don't know if it was truly sincere or not) and will hopefully try to get his anger uncontrol.

Answer 3

I do not condone what Michael Richards said, however I don't think the two men in question are as innocent as everyone is making them out to be. I have been on stage before and when people heckle, it messes with you. The other point I would like to make is that if Martin or Chris Rock had stood there and made comments to a white person everyone would have thought it was funny. So at the risk of coming across wrong, I have to say that I think the whole black community is a little too sensitive. White folks get made fun of all the time in stand up routines seen every night on BETs ComicView.

Answer 4

Whether he is racist or not, he should have never said that word. It is a nasty and vile word to throw at anyone. But, the two men in question should not have done what they did. It was rude and disrespectful not only to Michael Richards, but to the other audience members who paid their money to enjoy a show. Why were they even their if they did not think he was funny? They should have just quietly got up and left without making a scene like they did. Only a fool would believe that they are innocent victims in this matter. In an interview, I heard them say they were scared, and trapped. Why? They could have walked out of the club any time they felt like it (as other offended audience members did).

I think both parties are wrong, and both parties should apologize. And no money should be paid to anyone!!!!!!!!


P.S. To Kadeah: No one considers a black, asian, or hispanic person racist if they make fun of white people. They can make fun of whomever they want and it's OK because they are an oppressed minority. White people can only make fun of other white people, or they are labelled as bigoted, racists, because as everyone knows, all white people are the "evil oppressers" of the world (the only person I've ever oppressed is my 8yr old white daughter!!!).

Answer 5

I think he is a racist because even if he was heckled and lost it< he still shouldnt have said those things. If I was heckled and I would have dumb things, sure, but to say those things, I think that he has thought about saying those things before. Like if an African American cut him off in the highway, he would prob. mutter to himself and then on that night, on stage, all muttering came out into public.
I think that he has thought about it or even said those things (in the privacy of friends and family, mind you) because things like that dont just come out of nowhere.
I realize that being a comic means have a bag full of tricks but there are just some things you cant say! Its different when a Black entertainer uses the n-word or says things like that, than when a White entertainer says it. I dont know why, but it is.

Thats just my opinion.

Answer 6

He's a racist. He's a professional. Heckling shouldn't bother him anymore. Using the n-word once or twice would have been accepted but saying it 5x's + was uncalled for. Plus his comment about sticking a fork in somebody upside down....he took time to say that and thought about it. On letterman he didn't know what to call black people. 1st he used "afro american" then "them". Black comics can say borderline racist comments because they are a minority. Like chris rock acts.

Answer 7

I felt that at first he was tryna stay within a guideline but than when the pressure came on him, than he truely expressed what he might of felt deep down in his heart about African Americans, if you just say things than somewhere down the line you truely meant it, so he can't try to patch that up with all those comments said, and i'm not saying that because I'm African American, but seriously its the truth. If a black person kept on mentioning cracker or white trash or red neck and other insulting words than he would be labeled a racist so the same thing applies to this situation.

Answer 8

I think everyone is a racist! I don't care if you are black or white. Everyone judges everyone. It just some of use say it at times when we should keep out mouth shut!

Answer 9

I am black and I don't think he's a racist. He was trying to save face. Some one called him out in public and he didn't like it. By the way, He isn't funny and he is a has-been.

Answer 10

Personally I think he is. I mean all that stuff that just "comes out" of him - at the Laugh Factory this isn't just stuff that just popped into his head.... He's been having strong thinking about what he said for a long time - and when he got on stage something/someone set him off and he just divulged all of crap onto an audience that didn't deserve to hear that. Out of the frying pan and into the roaring blaze for him. The damage has been done.